Purchasing

FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION TO PURCHASE A FIREARM

  1. Only Virginia residents may purchase and, having an approved background check, take possession of a handgun.
  2. Non-residents may purchase a handgun but must have it transferred to an FFL dealer in their home state.

To establish personal identification and residence in Virginia any prospective purchaser must present one photo-identification form issued by a governmental agency of the Commonwealth or by the United States Department of Defense.

Except where the photo-identification was issued by the United States Department of Defense, the other documentation of residence shall show an address identical to that shown on the photo-identification form. Such as evidence can be:

  1. currently paid personal property tax or real estate tax,
  2. a current lease,
  3. a current utility or telephone bill,
  4. voter registration card,
  5. bank check,
  6. automobile registration, or
  7. hunting or fishing license.

MILITARY

Where the photo-identification was issued by the Department of Defense, permanent orders assigning the purchaser to a duty post in Virginia shall be the only other required documentation of residence.

RESTRICTION ON VIRGINIA DRIVERS LICENSE

When the photo-identification presented is a driver's license or other photo-identification issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, and such identification form contains a date of issue, the dealer shall not, except for a renewed driver's license or other photo-identification issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, sell or otherwise transfer a firearm to the prospective purchaser until 30 days after the date of issue of an original or duplicate driver's license unless the prospective purchaser also presents a copy of his Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles driver's record showing that the original date of issue of the driver's license was more than 30 days prior to the attempted purchase.

FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION VISIT THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE WEBSITE